Jordan Henderson insists he isn't complaining about his limited game time over the last few months as he believes more competition means a better squad and an improved chance of winning games.

Henderson has slowly come into good form for the Reds after making a £16 million move to the club in the 2011 summer. While in his first season he struggled to find his feet, in this one he has shown the potential to develop for both his club and country.

Despite being left on the bench in recent weeks with the likes of Joe Allen and January signing Philippe Coutinho earning starts, the 22 year old insists he will keep working to show he is worthy of a spot in the Liverpool first team.

"I've just got to keep working hard," he said in the Liverpool Echo. "Before Saturday, the team had been playing brilliantly so I can't complain.

Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson says he's happy to compete for his spot at Liverpool.

"Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge have both done really well since they came to the club and we've got good competition for places.

"You can't really change a winning team so I've understood why I've not played.

"I just have to make sure that when the manager needs me I'm ready to take my chance."

While Liverpool lost to Southampton at the weekend, seriously denting their chances of Champions League qualification, Henderson insists the European dream isn't over yet.

"It was a big disappointment against Southampton but Europe's not gone yet," he explained.

"We've still got eight games to play and that's a lot of points to play for. We've still got to play some of the teams above us so we have to keep going.

"We have to pick ourselves up from this and ensure we respond positively against Aston Villa after the international break."